We were lucky to catch up with Victoria Cantu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I’m very happy as a business owner, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. However I have thought about having a regular job. Being able to clock in and out, leave work , and just go home, nothing else. But what would be the fun in that? I love a challenge, and this business is definitely one. As much as I would love to have a 9-5 (there is nothing wrong with that at all) it’s not for me. I love what I do.

Victoria, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Well, I am Victoria Cantu, from South Austin (newbies will call us Unicorns). I got into the Hair industry in 2010, my mother suggested it (never touched hair in my life, couldn’t do mine). I specialize in blonding, especially in dark hair. I love to cater to my clients, and also give them the best consultation and realization of what they are asking for. I will not give a client a service if it can’t be done, otherwise they’re not happy with it. Honesty is key. I literally will ask you 21 questions, sometimes I think I’m being annoying but I do care and want to give you the best quality service. My work is my life, if I think something isn’t right and you left the salon, I will literally have “Hairmares” (nightmares but for hair). I will call you back and make come in to tweak what I didn’t like. I am currently rebranding the salon with my team, which we are excited for! So for potential and regular clients, I can’t wait for you to see!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think a lot of it had to do with being from Austin and having my friends trust me with their hair at the beginning. I still have them From when I first started 12 years ago. I cater to their hair. Most of my clients have level 2-5 hair, which if not lifted correctly will lead to orange, gold, brassy hair. I was known for getting them that blonde they wanted in a safe manner without those unwanted tones. Being able to do that kind of work, I basically gained my clientele from word of mouth after that, and of course posting on instagram.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

There’s two ways of growing your clientele, organically and online. Organic marketing is always going to be there cause you pretty much socialize anyways. I hated it when I got into the industry, I was shy and scared and didn’t like talking to people. Im still not great at it. But over the years, anytime I’m out and I tell them what I do, it opens the door for that conversation and to have them as a client. Online is great too! Im not the best at it, I’m not tech savy. I’m still learning with my postings and reels and what not. But that can hit a whole different market and area that organic can’t. And of course the number one I cannot forget about, is all my beautiful clients! These women are walking advertisements, what you see is what you get.

Contact Info:

• Website: salonvc.com
• Instagram: atx_foilayalogist
• Facebook: salon vc

Image Credits
Mercy Lupita Alaina Claudia